It can be confusing or stressful when a payment terminal asks for a PIN and the cardholder doesn't have one or can't remember it. The good news is that a PIN isn't needed for most purchases with the Visa® Prepaid Card, and these situations can usually be handled in a few simple steps.
A PIN is a personal identification number, a 4-digit security code for the Card. The Card doesn't come with a default PIN.
In this article, you'll learn why merchants sometimes ask for a PIN, how the cardholder can complete a purchase without one, and when a PIN is actually required.
Why a merchant might ask for a PIN
Merchants can process Card purchases over either a debit payment network or a credit payment network. When a merchant processes a purchase over a debit network, the terminal asks for a PIN. When the purchase is run as "Credit," it goes over the Visa credit network, which doesn't require a PIN.
Running a purchase as "Credit" doesn't turn the Card into a credit card. The money still comes out of the Card's balance, just like any other purchase.
How to complete a purchase without a PIN
- When the payment terminal asks, select Credit rather than Debit. If the terminal doesn't ask, the cardholder can ask the store clerk to run the purchase as "Credit."
- If the terminal still asks for a PIN, press the red button or the green button on the keypad without entering any numbers. Depending on the type of terminal, one of these buttons lets the cardholder skip the PIN step.
What still needs to be in place
Running a purchase as "Credit" skips the PIN, but it doesn't skip anything else. The purchase will only go through if:
- There are enough funds on the Card.
- The Card is open and active.
- No Spending Settings rule would block the purchase.
If a purchase is declined for another reason, see Review Reasons for Declined Transactions.
When a PIN is required
- Cash back and cash withdrawals. A PIN is required to get cash back from a merchant or withdraw cash. Only CalABLE and PA ABLE Visa Prepaid Cards can be used to access cash. Cards for all other ABLE plans and for 529 plans can't be used for cash back or cash withdrawals, even with a PIN. See Can I withdraw cash with my Visa® Card?
- If the cardholder prefers PIN purchases. Some cardholders like entering a PIN at checkout. If so, we recommend setting one.
How to set or reset a PIN
A PIN can be set or changed at any time by calling the automated phone system for your plan and pressing 4:
- STABLE Account: 1-888-364-8430
- All other ABLE accounts: 1-888-219-9054
- 529 Savings Plan: 1-888-442-8480
For the full step-by-step instructions, see Set or change a PIN. For security reasons, we can't set or change a PIN over email.
Please be aware
- Not sure of the PIN? Choose "Credit" instead of guessing. Entering an incorrect PIN too many times in a row can place a temporary block on the Card. If that happens, see Lifting a Temporary Fraud Block.
- A PIN doesn't carry over to a replacement Card. Whenever a replacement Card is activated, the PIN will need to be set again.
If you have any questions or concerns about PIN purchases, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Support team.